How to Make a Easy Backpack
A backpack can be helpful for freeing your hands of small odds and ends when out and about. Backpacks need not be fancy or expensive to serve their purpose. If you possess novice sewing skills, it is quite simple to make an easy backpack with only a few materials. This is a fast and easy project that can be completed in a short time, yet will result in a useful small backpack.
Things You'll Need
- 1/2 yard heavy canvas fabric
- 2 yards 1/2-inch wide cotton cording
- Sewing machine
- Sewing notions (thread, scissors, pins)
- Tape measure
- Iron
Instructions
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1
Spread the fabric out flat and cut two large backpack pieces with a 15 1/2 inch width and a 17 1/2 inch length. Cut two small rectangles from the fabric with a 1 1/2-inch width and 4-inch length.
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2
Lay out the small rectangles and fold under 1/4-inch along the long edges. Press these edges well with the iron to set them. Stitch along the folded edges 1/8-inch from the folds. Now fold both small rectangles in half length-wise so that the rectangles are 2 inches long and folded in half. Set these aside momentarily.
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3
Place the two backpack pieces onto a flat work surface with the wrong sides facing up and the long sides at the top and bottom. Fold under along one length side of each backpack piece 1/4-inch. Press these edges well with the iron to set them. Stitch along the folded edges 1/8-inch from the folds. Measure down from the folded edge one inch and fold again at the 1-inch point. Press these folds well with the iron to set them. Stitch along the lines just sewn to create a casing for the top of the backpack in both backpack pieces.
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4
Place the two backpack pieces together with right sides facing each other and wrong sides facing out. Match the corners and edges carefully and pin to secure the rectangles together.
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5
Place the two small folded rectangles at the bottom left and right corners between the two layers of fabric. The raw edges must be aligned and the small rectangles should be placed approximately 3/4-inch above the bottom edge of the backpack pieces. The small rectangles will be sandwiched between the two backpack pieces so that you cannot see them. Pin the small rectangles to secure them in position.
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6
Begin stitching immediately under the top casing at the right side of the backpack pieces. Sew with a 1/2-inch seam allowance and back stitch as you begin sewing. As you reach the point at the bottom corner where the small rectangle is secured, be careful to sew over the edge of it. Sew around the corner, this time being careful not to catch the side of the small rectangle in the stitching. Continue stitching around the next corner (taking the same precautions with the second small rectangle) and up the left side of the fabric until you reach the other side of the casing. Stop stitching, back stitch to secure, trim threads, and remove the backpack piece from the sewing machine.
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7
Turn the fabric backpack pieces right side out and pull out the bottom corners to make sure they are pointed. Pull out the small rectangles and make sure they extend out from the sides. These will be loops that will be used for the backpack straps. Press the entire backpack well with the iron.
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8
Cut the length of cording in half so that you have two equal 1-yard pieces. Place the two lengths side by side and tie them around one of the backpack's bottom loops to secure them. A simple double-knot should be sufficient to tie them to the loop. Extend the cording along the side of the backpack and then thread one cord through one fabric casing and the other cord through the other fabric casing. Pull the cording out of the other end of the casings and down to the other loop at the other bottom side of the backpack. Tie another double knot with the cording around the other loop to secure the backpack straps.
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Tips & Warnings
Close the backpack by pulling the cording tight through the top casings. Place the arms through the cording on each side of the backpack to wear the backpack.
